Weight Loss Specialist

Nina L. Coletta, DPM, PA

Podiatrist located in Plantation, FL

Studies have found that gaining just five to 10 pounds triggers foot problems in weight-bearing areas, as well as your tendons and ligaments, as additional weight changes the way your foot functions. If you’re carrying extra body weight, Nina Coletta, DPM, PA, in Plantation, Florida, can help devise a weight-loss plan to improve not only the health of your feet but your overall quality of life as well. Get help before the increased pressure of your excess weight flattens your feet, shortens your gait, or causes your feet to angle out more. Call or schedule an appointment online today.

Weight Loss Q & A

How Is Weight Loss Relevant To Your Feet?

If you’re overweight or obese, you tend to take shorter steps, have a broader walking pattern, and move more slowly. Additionally, the excess weight causes an outward rotation of your hips, along with an alteration of your knee position and significant inward rolling of your ankles, resulting in a collapsing of your foot structure.

Most people take between 8,000 and 10,000 steps daily, and each step you take exerts pressure that’s 50% more than your body weight. Should you choose to climb stairs in two-inch heels, the load on your feet increases to 75% more than your body weight. Couple that with the standing you routinely do, and you end up with a force of several hundred tons placed on your feet daily.

Dr. Coletta recommends weight loss as an effective means of reducing the effects of this excessive pressure.

Which Foot Problems Does Weight Loss Improve?

Weight loss efforts help you avoid common foot problems associated with being overweight or obese, including:

Plantar Fasciitis/Heel Spurs

Heel spur formation is typical if you’re overweight. You also become prone to plantar fasciitis due to the additional strain placed on an already weakened foot structure.

Tendonitis

Arthritis

The excess pressure caused by being overweight or obese leads to an increased risk of exasperating osteoarthritis, particularly in your knees and ankles.

Fractures

If you’re overweight, you tend to be more susceptible to fractures of the heel bone and the long bones near the ball of your foot.

Ankle Synovitis

Ankle synovitis is the presence of severe inflammation in the lining of your ankle joint capsule without the existence of arthritis or other traumatic injuries.

How Can A Podiatrist Help With Weight Loss?

Weight-loss programs crafted by Dr. Coletta always include ways to reduce your caloric intake and increase your physical activity to lose those extra pounds successfully. She helps reduce your foot and ankle pain so that you aren’t limited in your ability to participate fully in these activities.

Some of the ways Dr. Coletta helps with your weight-loss efforts include:

Foot Orthotics

Firm foot orthotics with shock absorption help minimize the force placed on your feet and also help to treat and prevent the foot problems associated with carrying excess weight, allowing for more exercise.

Walking shoes

With extra weight comes the need for shoes that provide additional support. Dr. Coletta helps you find shoes with a stable heel that don’t twist easily and absorb the extra force.